Voyager Academy High School News, Oct. 8, 2021

GO VIKINGS GO!


In this issue...

  • Fall Festival Coming Soon (Oct. 29)
  • Hey Senior Parents! It’s Senior Ad Time (For the Yearbook)!
  • You Can Chip In to Get Biotechnology Labs for Our Future Scientists
  • The Annual Voyager Academy High School Blood Drive is Oct. 22
  • Senior Cap and Gown Orders Due on October 15
  • Private Driver's Education Class
  • Oct. 20 is Parent Enrichment Night
  • Class of 2022 Individual Senior Meetings With The Counselor
  • VCF (Viking Christian Fellowship) meets Friday mornings from ~7:30-8:30 in D124

COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFO.

  • Financial Aid for College: FAFSA Day is Back This Year
  • 6 Great Options For Finding Scholarships
  • NC Countdown to College 2021 Events

OTHER GREAT WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

  • Check out the VAHS Counselor’s Blog (and subscribe)
  • What to Do If You Are Not Receiving Group Emails From Voyager Academy
  • Sign up to receive text messages from the school.
  • Subscribe to the “21-22 VA Parent Calendar” (google calendar)
  • Other great sources of information for and about VAHS.
  • Important dates.
  • VAHS Safety Guidelines for Students and Staff

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Fall Festival Coming Soon (Oct. 29)

Please join us at the Fall Festival on October 29, from 6-8:30pm. It will be a full filled evening.


(Click here for a printable version)


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Hey Senior Parents! It’s Senior Ad Time (For the Yearbook)!

Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families, and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook.

To purchase your ad online, follow the instructions on the Senior Ad page of this website.
Please take into account our school's ad content guidelines during the creation of your ad online.

All ad orders must be placed online by 12/31/2021

More info here: https://sites.google.com/voyageracademy.net/vahs-yearbook-2021/home


Click here for a flyer with info. on how to order.


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You Can Chjp In to Get Biotechnology Labs for Our Future Scientists

VAHS Science teacher Joy Batty wants to give students real world experience at learning skills they need in order to work in a lab.  In order to do this, she created a DonorsChoose page. She has chosen kits that will help them be able to do the most common biotechnology lab procedures: restriction digestions, transformation, purification, and gel and polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Ms. Batty has also chosen these particular kits because they are the coolest way to learn these techniques. Our ultimate goal is to insert a gene for bioluminescence (from a jellyfish) into bacterial cells. If done correctly we will make bacteria glow!  With these skills they will be able to apply for internships with confidence.


Here is the link to our DonorsChoose page:
https://www.donorschoose.org/project/biotechnology-labs-for-our-future-scient/5856475/?utm_source=dc&utm_medium=directlink&utm_campaign=project&utm_term=teacher_6880804&rf=directlink-dc-2021-09-project-teacher_6880804&challengeid=21508562

Thank you, Voyager community! 


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The Annual Voyager Academy High School Blood Drive is Oct. 22

Led by VAHS Junior, Lauren King, the VAHS Blood Drive will take place this Fall on Oct. 22nd from 8am to 2pm in the high school parking lot.  All eligible donors are welcome! 


Sign-Up Link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time (Simply go to this link and type in “Voyager” to schedule your appointment today!)




Click here for the message sent to all families, containing all details.


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Senior Cap and Gown Orders Due on October 15

Seniors who did not submit paper orders for their graduation items on Monday 9/10, can now order from the Herff Jones website: 
https://highschool.herffjones.com/secom/home

There are a variety of choices and products available, including class rings and graduation announcements. Please review the options and place your orders  by October 15.


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Private Driver's Education Class

Jordan Driving School of the Carolinas is offering a PRIVATE TEEN DRIVER EDUCATION CLASS for teens 14.5 yrs and older  

The next private class will be:

  • Oct 11-22, 2021 (Monday-Friday each week) 

  • Daily Zoom class will begin at 6:00 P.M.

For more information and registration:
https://www.jdscarolinas.com/private-instruction
JDSC - jdsvanceboro@gmail.com
(Tel) 252-244-1220

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Oct. 20 is Parent Enrichment Night

The VA Student Services Team is hosting it's second Parent Enrichment Night event on Weds, Oct. 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This is a virtual event, and will cover topics about Bullying and Mental Health Supports. Please see the flyer below for more information and a link to join the event. 


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Class of 2022 Individual Senior Meetings With The Counselor

Congratulations to the VAHS class of 2022!  Senior Planning Meetings are well under way, and all seniors are encouraged to sign up to meet with Ms. O'Kane to plan for graduation and post high school plans. Seniors can use the link below or contact Ms. O'Kane to arrange a meeting. Seniors should also be sure to keep checking the VAHS Counseling Blog and their email  for updates and important news.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c44a5a62aa5f58-senior


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VCF (Viking Christian Fellowship) meets Friday mornings from ~7:30-8:30 in D124

Viking Christian Fellowship (VCF) meets Friday mornings before school from 7:30-8:30am in room D124 (Mrs. Paradis's room). All are welcome!


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COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID INFO.


Financial Aid for College: FAFSA Day is Back This Year (Oct. 23). It’s FREE

On October 23, campuses across the state will be hosting parking lot drive-in sessions for students and their families who need help with the FAFSA. Below is a link for students to register. Be sure to check back, as every day campuses are signing on to host FAFSA Day events. You will find more information on http://CFNC.org/pay (click here) by early October.

Please complete and submit the form below to indicate your interest in receiving Financial Aid information or help in completing the FAFSA form on October 23, 2021 (FAFSA Day).  This is a FREE service; there is no fee or service charge.

You may ask for and receive FAFSA help or Financial Aid help from any college, whether or not you plan to attend that particular school.

FAFSA Day Form:
https://register.etransfer.com/cgi-bin/acct/OI1AG3TER4/displayForm.pl?dir=LYGYCCAN_2021


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6 Great Options For Finding Scholarships

Students and parents are encouraged to check out the attached list of websites for scholarship platforms that are available.  All seniors were invited by Ms. O'Kane to sign up for Going Merry (https://www.goingmerry.com) -- it’s free! Going Merry has thousands of national, regional, and local scholarships. There are also opportunities for every grade level, from freshmen to seniors.

Click here for more details about 6 Great Options for Finding Scholarships


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NC Countdown to College 2021 Events

The College Foundation of NC (CFNC) is hosting a month of live virtual events and How-To videos to support high school seniors in completing three important college enrollment steps: Residency, FAFSA, and applications. Check the calendar to see all of the events and colleges that are waiving their application fees in October: https://www.cfnc.org/apply-to-college/nc-countdown-to-college/2021-events-schedule/


Click here for the NC Countdown to College Calendar


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OTHER GREAT WAYS TO STAY INFORMED


VAHS Counseling Department Blog

Please be sure to check the VAHS Counseling Department blog frequently. The blog provides news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students and parents all in one convenient location. Topics range from Career/College Counseling and Application Support to Summer Programs and Opportunities. Check it out!


CLICK HERE FOR THE VAHS COUNSELING DEPT. BLOG


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What to Do If You Are Not Receiving Group Emails From Voyager Academy
Please click here if you are not receiving group emails from Voyager Academy. This is a form, on which you can provide us your email address. 


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PARENTS and STUDENTS:  Sign up to receive text messages from VAHS

Even though you may have been subscribed from last year, all must re-subscribe.  This is because some cell phone numbers may no longer belong to last year’s subscribers (as people may change numbers or mobile providers). Click below for subscription instructions, sorted by student’s graduation year.  


PARENTS

Texting from your cell phone…

 

For parents of class of 2022:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp22

 

For parents of class of 2023:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp23

 

For parents of class of 2024:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @df2ah6

 

For parents of class of 2025:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahsp25


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STUDENTS

Texting from your cell phone…

 

For the class of 2022:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss22

 

For the class of 2023:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss23

 

For the class of 2024:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss24

 

For the class of 2025:

In the “To” section of the text, please type 81010 and in the message section please type @vahss25


Subscribe to the 21-22 VA Parent Calendar

You can view this calendar in two ways:

 

1. You can subscribe to the 21-22 VA Parent Calendar, so that it merges with yours. Here are the instructions:

Go to your google calendar

Go to settings, the little gear in the upper right corner-----> 

Settings

Add calendar

Subscribe to calendar

In the “Add Calendar” field, paste the following:

c_rf81ppekino4980nbie6tkvggs@group.calendar.google.com

 

OR

 

2. You can simply view it on our website, by going to https://www.voyageracademy.net/calendar/.

You can also add it from there, by clicking on the “+” sign at the bottom right of the calendar..  


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OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR AND ABOUT VAHS
Voyager Academy Academic Calendar

The Voyager Academy High School Website

The VAHS Counselor’s Blog


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Important Dates


Dates

Events

Oct. 11-15

NO CLASSES – Fall Break

Oct. 15

Senior Cap and Gown Orders Due

Oct. 20

Parent Enrichment Night (see above)

Oct. 22

Voyager Academy Blood Drive

Oct. 23

FAFSA Day: Applying financial aid for college (see above)

Nov. 2

Pre-ACT/CRAA (required for all 10th graders)

Nov. 22

Project Exhibition Night

Dec. 13 - 17

Final Exams

Dec. 31 

Deadline to order a Senior ad in the yearbook (click here for how to order)


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VAHS Safety Guidelines for Students and Staff

  1. It is important that students begin school each day with a mask that fits them properly.  Please make sure your child has a mask that will stay  over their nose.  This is our number one safety feature.

  2. When we returned in April of last year, we had specific directions for lunch. We will continue to reinforce the fact that students will have 14 minutes to eat lunch and then their masks will go back on. If students do not finish their lunch in that amount of time, we will have the students who need more time to sit at a table while the other students can talk as they will have on their mask.  

  3. Students will be asked to keep their masks on for outdoor lunch if and when they cannot be at least 6 feet apart.  

  4. Students need to continue to wash hands and use hand sanitizer when needed. 

  5. If students have any symptoms of sickness, the student should remain home until they have no symptoms. Please do not send a child to school if he or she has a fever. 

  6. Our school nurse and managing director are keeping a very close eye on the ever changing safety guidelines for schools.  We will keep you updated as information is shared with us.

  7. If we have a student who tests positive for Covid, that student will be asked to isolate for 10 days before returning to school.  Voyager will send out a health email that tells families we had a positive case within our school community.    Positive cases are reported to the health department.  Students who are exposed to a positive Covid individual within their home, should report that to the building principal as soon as possible.  That student will be asked to quarantine based on the most recent guidelines.  All cases will be followed by the school nurse.   If a student  begins to show any Covid symptoms then that student would need to quarantine.  Thank you for working with us as we seek to keep every student and every staff member as safe as possible.  I understand we may not like the various guidelines, but I think we can all agree we need to do everything possible to keep our Voyager family healthy. 



VOYAGER VIKING VALUES

CONFIDENCE   -   CURIOSITY   -   EMPATHY

REFLECTION   -   INTEGRITY